Floribunda rose plant named ‘JACzeeze’

ABSTRACT

Floribunda rose plant having long stems; large clusters of flowers; strong fragrance; healthy, dark green, glossy foliage and ease of root production from softwood cuttings.

Genus and species: Rosa hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘JACzeeze’.

ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety offloribunda rose plant named ‘JACzeeze’ which was originated by me bycrossing an unnamed, unpatented seedling (Sexy Rexy×unnamed redseedling), with the variety ‘Vie en Rose’ (not patented).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a new rose varietyhaving the root vigor, healthy foliage and rapid bloom of the pinkfemale floribunda parent combined with the large cluster size, fragranceand long cutting stems of the pink with white reverse flowers of themale floribunda parent.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective was substantially achieved, along with other desirableimprovements, as evidenced by the following unique combination ofcharacteristics that are outstanding in the new variety and thatdistinguish it from its parents, as well as from all other varieties ofwhich I am aware:

-   -   1. Long stems.    -   2. Large flower clusters.    -   3. Strong fragrance.    -   4. Healthy, dark green, glossy foliage.    -   5. Ease of root production from softwood cuttings.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by cuttings, as performed atWasco, Calif., shows that the foregoing and all other characteristicsand distinctions come true to form and are established and transmittedthrough succeeding propagations.

Comparison with Parents

‘JACzeeze’ differs from both parents in its white flower color, thefemale parent having pink flowers, the male parent having pink withwhite reverse flowers.

Comparison with Similar Variety

A similar variety is ‘Iceberg’ although ‘JACzeeze’ has larger clusters,smaller flowers, is much more upright and has much more fragrance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATION

The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of this new variety in different stages ofdevelopment, depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of my new rose cultivar withcolor descriptions using terminology in accordance with The RoyalHorticultural Society (London) Colour Chart© 2001, except where ordinarydictionary significance of color is indicated.

-   Parentage:    -   -   Seed parent.—Unnamed seedling, (not patented) (Sexy            Rexy×unnamed red seedling).        -   Pollen parent.—‘Vie en Rose’            (unpatented)(Charleston×Friesia).

FLOWER

Observations made of plants commencing at four years of age in a gardenenvironment at Somis, Calif., from January 2003 to August 2004.

-   Blooming habit: Continuous.-   Bud:    -   -   Size.—About 25 mm long and 17 mm in diameter when the petals            start to unfurl.        -   Form.—The bud form is long, pointed ovoid.        -   Color.—When sepals first divide, bud color is Yellow-White            Group 158B with areas of Greyed-Purple Group 183D,            especially on petal edges. When half blown, the upper sides            of the petals are White Group 155B and the lower sides of            the petals are White Group 155B.        -   Sepals.—Color: Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group 146D with            Yellow-Green Group 144D at base. Lower surface: Yellow-Green            Group 144A with prominent Yellow-Green Group 144C vein in            center of sepal from base to apex. Length: 22-26 mm. Width:            7-9 mm. Shape: Subulate. Surface texture: Upper: Hoary;            Lower: Glandular. There are three normally appendaged            sepals. There are two unappendaged sepals with hairy edges.        -   Receptacle.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 144A. Shape: Funnel.            Size: Small, about 5 mm long×5-6 mm wide. Surface: Hairy.        -   Peduncle.—Length: Short, averaging about 40-60 mm. Surface:            Glandular. Color: Young: Greyed-Purple Group 184A. Mature:            Yellow-Green Group 144A. Strength: Stiff.-   Bloom:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average open diameter is about 8-9 cm.        -   Borne.—Several together in pyramidal clusters of 3-7 blooms.        -   Stems.—Strength: Strong. Average length is about 45 cm with            a diameter of 4-7 mm.        -   Form.—When first open: High centered. Permanence: Flattens.        -   Petalage.—Number of petals under normal conditions: 20.        -   Color.—The upper sides of the petals are White Group 155B.            The reverse sides of the petals are White Group 155B. The            base of each petal has a small 2 mm×2 mm Yellow Group 3D            color spot. The major color on the upper side is White Group            155B.        -   Variegations.—None observed.        -   Discoloration.—The general tonality at the end of the first            day: No change. At the end of the third day: No change.        -   Fragrance.—Strong, honeysuckle.-   Petals:    -   -   Texture.—Thick.        -   Shape.—Smooth.        -   Surface.—Round.        -   Margin.—Smooth and entire. Apex Shape: Rounded. Base Shape:            Rounded.        -   Form.—Tips slightly recurved.        -   Arrangement.—Imbricated.        -   Petaloids.—Number: 2-5. Size: Length — 15-25 mm. Width —            5-15 mm. Color: White Group 155 B.        -   Persistence.—Petals drop off cleanly before drying.        -   Lastingness.—On the plant: Fair (about 4-5 days). As a cut            flower: Fair (about 5-6 days).-   Reproductive parts:    -   -   Stamens.—Number: 100-200. Length: 8-12 mm. Anthers: Length:            2 mm. Color: Yellow-Orange Group 16C. Arrangement: Regular            around styles. Filaments: Color: Yellow Group 4C. Length:            6-10 mm. Pollen: Color: Yellow-Orange Group 16A.        -   Pistils.—Number: 60-80. Length: 5-8 mm. Styles: Color:            Yellow-Green Group 145D. Length: 4-7 mm. Stigmas. Color:            Yellow-White Group 158A. Length: 1 mm.        -   Hips.—None observed.

PLANT

-   -   -   Form.—Bush.        -   Growth.—Very vigorous, upright, branching.        -   Age at maturity.—Two years.        -   Mature plants.—Height: 120 cm. Width: 80 cm.        -   Rootstock.—Own root.

-   Foliage: Number of leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves: 5 or 7.    -   -   Size.—Large. About 13-14 cm long×11-12 cm wide.        -   Quantity.—Abundant.        -   Color.—New foliage: Upper side: Greyed-Red Group 182A. Lower            side: Greyed-Red Group 182A. Old foliage: Upper side: Green            Group 139A. Lower side: Green Group 137C.

-   Leaflets:    -   -   Size.—About 60 mm long×30 mm wide.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Base shape.—Oblique.        -   Apex shape.—Acuminate.        -   Texture.—Leathery.        -   Edge.—Serrated.        -   Serrations.—Single.        -   Petiole.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 146C.        -   Petiole rachis.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 146B. Underside:            Rough with prickles and glands.        -   Stipules.—Length: 15 mm. Smooth but edged in glands.        -   Disease resistance.—Resistant to mildew and rust and            susceptible to blackspot under normal growing conditions.        -   Pest resistance.—Not observed.        -   Vein color.—Green Group 137D.        -   Venation pattern.—Reticulate.

-   Wood:    -   -   New wood.—Color: Greyed-Red Group 181B. Bark: Smooth.        -   Old wood.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 144A. Bark: Smooth.

-   Prickles:    -   -   Quantity.—On main canes from base: Ordinary, 10 prickles per            15 cm. On laterals from main canes: Few, 4 prickles per 15            cm.        -   Form.—Hooked downward.        -   Length.—8-10 mm.        -   Color when young.—Greyed-Red Group 181B.        -   Color when mature.—Greyed-Yellow Group 160C.

-   Small prickles:    -   -   Quantity.—On main stalks: None. On laterals: None.

-   Winter hardiness: Hardy to Zone 5.

1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the floribunda class,substantially as herein shown and described, characterized particularlyby long stems; large flower clusters; strong fragrance; healthy, darkgreen, glossy foliage and ease of root production from softwoodcuttings.